The Week in Texas Politics Recap: 1/31 to 2/4
No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We've made it easier for you with our weekly recaps of the action under the dome. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-02-04_at_2.41.06_PM.png)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Anchia Gets Super Bowl Seat — at the White House
State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, won't be on the 50-yard line for Sunday's Super Bowl in Arlington. But some could argue he's got the next best seat: at the White House with Barack and Michelle Obama. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/AnchiaRafael.jpg)
![State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, in May, 2010.]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
Jail Officials: Mental Health Cuts Hurt Everyone
Slashing funds for community-based mental health care will hurt taxpayers and degrade the quality of life for thousands of mentally ill Texans and their families, Harris County Jail officials told Texas budget writers today in written testimony for the Senate Finance Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Overcrowded-Prisons.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Eissler: Don't Check Immgration Status of Students
In our TribLive conversation this morning, state Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, the chair of the House Public Education Committee, said he opposed a bill by state Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Houston, that would require school districts to check the immigration status of students enrolling in Texas public schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-02-03_at_1.47.06_PM.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
"The Daily Show" Does the Speaker's Race
The long-awaited Daily Show segment on alleged anti-Semitism in the 2011 Speaker's race was, predictably, funny. And that John Oliver: such a punim! Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/CM_Capture_2_2.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Eissler: Don't Check Immgration Status of Students
In our TribLive conversation this morning, state Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, said he opposed a bill that would require school districts to check the immigration status of public school students. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
LiveBlog: TribLive with Rob Eissler
House Public Education Committee Chairman Rob Eissler talked with Texas Tribune CEO and Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith this morning. Here is our liveblog. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
E-Verify Battle Could Soon Greet Texas Lawmakers
At least half a dozen bills have been filed in the Texas House mandating the use of the federal electronic employment verification system known as E-Verify. But is the system so fraught with errors that it actually hinders employers who use it to check the eligibility of new hires? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/E-Verify-Computer.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
The Texas Tribune Weekly TribCast: Ep 65
In this week's TribCast, Evan, Ross, Reeve and Ben discuss the budget's structural deficit, the effort to repeal health care reform, the back-and-forth over House District 48 and if 2011 will be the year Texas bans smoking. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TT-TribCast-002.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
EPA Proposes New Regulations on Rocket Fuel Ingredient
The Environmental Protection Agency is developing new drinking-water regulations for a toxic rocket-fuel ingredient found in 26 states — including Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/RocketEngine.jpg)
![Saturn V rocket engine in Houston, TX.]()
Credit: Sunday Williams -
Lawmakers Get Strong Message On Health Funds
The Senate Finance Committee heard public testimony today on proposed cuts to health and human services. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Screen_shot_2011-02-02_at_4.20.24_PM.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Texplainer: What is Chubbing?
If there's one thing that politicians are good at, it's talking. And chubbing is a kind of talking that's used to stall legislation in the Texas House. While state representatives do have the power to talk something to death, this session it will be harder to do than in the past. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/texplainer-sponsoredTAMU.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Are Payment Reform, Texas Budget In Conflict?
Lawmakers are crafting legislation to make health care more affordable and effective by rewarding doctors who get the best medical outcomes. But the cuts they're proposing to meet the state's budget shortfall could hinder some of the same physicians they're relying on to implement payment reform. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/DoctorStanding.jpg)
![Odiel Rodriguez, a physician assistant, checks a patient's file at Ashley Pediatrics Day and Night Clinic in Pharr. Family practitioners fear what budget cuts will mean for the funding that keeps them in business.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
David Dewhurst: The TT Interview
The lieutenant governor believes he knows how to save Texas money and improve patient care by overhauling how doctors and hospitals are paid: with carrots, not sticks. In an interview with the Tribune, he talks about what he sees as the root of the health care crisis, and his proposed solutions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/20100512-DSC_4724.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller -
Election Contest in HD-48 Begins
A Texas House investigation to determine the winner of the District 48 race between state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Republican challenger Dan Neil has begun. Testimony is expected to last at least a couple of days. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCA7731.jpg)
![Dan Neil at table with attorneys during a public hearing for the election contest of House D-48]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Ed Commissioner: Don't Lose Cool Over Cuts
"Now is not the time to point fingers and scream and yell. Now is the time to solve the problem," Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott told more than 6,000 public school leaders from across the state today. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/_KCB7820.jpg)
![Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott answers questions at TASA midwinter conference in Austin, Texas February 1st, 2011]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Joaquin Castro Files Bills on School Counseling
State Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, is looking to shake up the way Texas trains, educates and certifies public school counselors. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/college_aids.jpg)
![TCAC adviser, Allison Najera and Cynthia McCarty, head guidance counselor at Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio]()
Credit: Reeve Hamilton -
Most Texans Support Smoking Ban, Poll Says
The latest from Gov. Rick Perry's preferred polling firm, Baselice & Associates, shows that 70 percent of Texans support a ban on indoor smoking, including in restaurants and bars. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/JustinShearer_Cigarette.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Justin Shearer -
Gail Lowe Reappointed as Education Board Chair
Pending Senate confirmation, Gail Lowe will serve another term as head of the State Board of Education. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/gaillowe.jpg)
![Gail Lowe]()
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller -
Testimony Under Way in HD-48 Fight [Updated]
More than a dozen witnesses took the stand today to testify about where they lived and how they voted in the House District 48 contest in the November 2010 election. Full Story
![Dan Neil at table with attorneys during a public hearing for the election contest of House D-48]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7c74fcd62c915af10148178e6a581aed/TT%20Event%20Eissler%2003%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bade6d50c47913179ae56354f785a25a/TT%20Event%20Eissler%2002%202011)